Patton out at Gard-Webb?

[elcid83]

99, I know these guys too and I do understand the need for secrecy. But, I also want to know who our next head coach is. That just will not balance out.

I will continue to ask for more information from Marc Rabb and his crew. The Charlotte Observer is certainly not going to report on anything Gardner-Webb and the Shelby Star doesn't have the resources. I believe it is important to get more information out to the fans and supporters in the form of weekly updates [even during the off-season] so that there is a continuing interest in our program. It will help recruiting and it will help the program's financial situation. Here's hoping our new head coach shares my views on this topic.

Go Runnin' Bulldogs!

[g-webb1994]

99, I know these guys too and I do understand the need for secrecy. But, I also want to know who our next head coach is. That just will not balance out.

I will continue to ask for more information from Marc Rabb and his crew. The Charlotte Observer is certainly not going to report on anything Gardner-Webb and the Shelby Star doesn't have the resources. I believe it is important to get more information out to the fans and supporters in the form of weekly updates [even during the off-season] so that there is a continuing interest in our program. It will help recruiting and it will help the program's financial situation. Here's hoping our new head coach shares my views on this topic.

Go Runnin' Bulldogs!

Marc will only put out in public view what Chuck lets him....the reason their are no 'leaks' going on right now is that nobody is on campus.

I do agree with your pushing for more info, especially considering the lack of local media coverage in the Charlotte market.

Even my 'inside' source is not on campus now....the wheels will get cranking next week no doubt, but I'm like you elcid, I am eager to see who we hire.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

This may have already been discussed but I only went back to the last page but isn't GW pissing away a lot of recruiting time and clout while recruiting right now?

[elcid83]

This may have already been discussed but I only went back to the last page but isn't GW pissing away a lot of recruiting time and clout while recruiting right now?

I think our AD is thinking that it is not a big deal during the Dead Period. GW does have all of the assistants on campus and they are still diligently working on recruiting. It's got to be tough though when they can't the most likely question to be asked - "Tell me about your Head Coach, please?"

With the way the situation is being played, one almost has to assume that we are looking for a HC and only a couple of staffers to join him. If the new HC is going to hire an entirely new staff, we could be in big trouble this year recruiting wise.

Go Runnin' Bulldogs!

[99SourceCode]

Agree elcid and 1994,

I would expect the back channels to light up considerably next week once folks begin to arrive back on campus. It's going to be quiet on the "official" front, as that is how they would prefer it to be. Of course, once interviews begin on campus, those candidates will be seen by enough people that some names will begin to leak out just like with the basketball search back in the spring.

I can't hide my excitement at the prospect of getting this over with sooner than later. Knowing the guys in charge in Boiling Springs, they aren't going to drag this thing out longer than need be, but they'll be patient and make the right call. I think '94 would agree, because I know he follows hoops, that the process worked out very well with the new basketball coach.

On a side note: elcid, I was told specifically by Marc downstairs after the VMI game to expect a good deal more online coverage of the Runnin' Bulldogs during the spring of 2011, just based on interest from fans last year. He brought it up after I mentioned being bummed that the season was over. Video features, photos, etc. There has been talk of streaming the spring game online, which will be a neat touch. I know some of those ideas had to come from the people on this board who stay in touch with those guys. With interest comes positive change.

Couple that with a new coach and I would expect a concentrated barrage of spring information and coverage. That will be fun.

[g-webb1994]

I'm eager to see what the schedule looks like as well. The Ohio date is solid, but it looks like that Wake game could be later in the year possibly?

[99SourceCode]

The schedule as I was told before Thanksgiving for 2011 included Brevard, Ohio, Wake Forest and Samford out of conference. Brevard obviously at home. The rest are road dates, but I'm not sure where they fall time wise. I guess one more home game and that slate is set.

I know RIchmond comes onto the schedule at some point in the next few years, maybe 2012 or 2013 and Old Dominion returns that game to Boiling Springs in 2012.

[elcid83]

On another note, since it appears that we will not be able to talk about our new head coach any time soon, I thought some of you guys might be interested in my photos from last year's football season. I have attached a link to my Shutterfly site for your viewing enjoyment.

Go Runnin' Bulldogs!

http://gardnerwebbfootball.shutterfly.com/

[littlered]

Gardner-Webb obviously needs to make some changes to their football program. They have some very young talented students that deserve the very best coaches. Being present at most of the games, both home and away, I was able to see some good and some bad. I want to voice my support for the Foster brothers. I have seen both of them working both on the field and off. Both of these young men impress me and that is not easy to do. They show a genuine interest in their players both on and off the field. It is more than just football to them. They truly care about the student athletes. As far as bringing a new coach into the school, I feel that it would be imperative that he would consider keeping these two outstanding young men to be the backbone of support from which to build from. I believe that it would be very important to have some stability on the team. The students have a great respect for these two men and the ethics that they seem to carry with them is vital to the football program at Gardner-Webb. The Foster brothers, not only played there, but came to love the school enough to dedicate their futures to making a difference in the lives of other student athletes.

[g-webb1994]

The schedule as I was told before Thanksgiving for 2011 included Brevard, Ohio, Wake Forest and Samford out of conference. Brevard obviously at home. The rest are road dates, but I'm not sure where they fall time wise. I guess one more home game and that slate is set.

I know RIchmond comes onto the schedule at some point in the next few years, maybe 2012 or 2013 and Old Dominion returns that game to Boiling Springs in 2012.

Don't forget the UNCC home/home in 2013/14 as well.....

Why do we have a fixation for Brevard anyway? Playing Wingate, Davidson, or L-R would be a better draw and get more media attention.....

[elcid83]

Gardner-Webb obviously needs to make some changes to their football program. They have some very young talented students that deserve the very best coaches. Being present at most of the games, both home and away, I was able to see some good and some bad. I want to voice my support for the Foster brothers. I have seen both of them working both on the field and off. Both of these young men impress me and that is not easy to do. They show a genuine interest in their players both on and off the field. It is more than just football to them. They truly care about the student athletes. As far as bringing a new coach into the school, I feel that it would be imperative that he would consider keeping these two outstanding young men to be the backbone of support from which to build from. I believe that it would be very important to have some stability on the team. The students have a great respect for these two men and the ethics that they seem to carry with them is vital to the football program at Gardner-Webb. The Foster brothers, not only played there, but came to love the school enough to dedicate their futures to making a difference in the lives of other student athletes.

littlered, welcome to the GW discussion and we're glad to have you on board with us. I agree with your post on the Fosters and we have other assistants that are equally deserving to stay on board with the new head coach. Who that coach keeps and who that coach doesn't keep will tell us an awful lot about the quality of the coach that we hired. Can't wait to find out who it is.

Go Runnin' Bulldogs!

[EagleDawg]

Welcome littlered and sunshine, 2 more posters supportive of GWU. From a few will come many! Nice way to head into the New Year. Now let's go get us a HeadCoach.

[littlered]

Granted there may be other assistants that are as deserving, I just may not have met them, but from the looks of it on the field - there are some that Gardner Webb can also do without. I, too, am anxious to see who they name as the head coach and see who stays and who goes. I just hope that the head coach is sensible and makes the right decisions, whatever they may be. I did not really know very much about Gardner-Webb until this past year. I am very impressed with the school as a whole. They show a genuine interest in their prospective and current students. I wish that I had looked around more before I decided on a college to attend many years ago. I have two sons now at NC State and another son that is a junior in high school playing football. Maybe Gardner-Webb will be in his future - you never know. Thank you GW for all you do to make a difference in the lives of students across the United States and the world!

[JCole62]

I hope everyone had a great Christmas holiday. I am looking forward to the New Year and the annoucement of a new head coach at GWU. I saw on footballscoop.com that the DC, OC and a couple other assistants are leaving Elon for Ball State. That could make things interesting as well with more open positions at Elon other than HC. On a side note, I hope the new design for the Under Armour football uniforms will be a good one.

[SumItUp]

There has been a lot of talk on here about hope for the new coach keeping the current staff. Regardless of how good the staff is, most coaches want to have THEIR staff. I would be surprised if a new coach kept more than 2 current coaches and would not be shocked if he did not keep any.

This is a hard time to be without a head coach, but I am confident that Chuck Burch will find the right person. He is a quality AD. Any loss in recruiting this year will be balanced in the future. It's good to have some more GW/Big South guys on the board. Good luck to you in your search for a new coach.

**Elcid83, as always, great collection of photos.

[g-webb1994]

I hope the new design for the Under Armour football uniforms will be a good one.

If it is anything like the new mens hoops unis, we have nothing to worry about. Wearing black on the road should be the norm anyway, and I'm glad we've pretty much returned to it.

[littlered]

Wanted to give a shout out to the awesome trainer at Gardner-Webb (Kevin Jones). I am a parent of a player that was injured during a game this season and had to have surgery. Kevin took care of all the details and even stayed with us at the hospital until my son got settled in for surgery. He also took care of arrangements for physical therapy to take place while he is home for the holidays. Thanks Kevin! I also have a friend who has twins that will be attending GW in the fall. She told me that the admission process and all that was involved was so simple and stress free due to the wonderful people there at Gardner-Webb. A big thanks to all faculty and staff at Gardner Webb for making the college experience a positive one by extending such a personal touch to your students!!

[littlered]

By the way, my son's coach (Chris Foster) also came and sat with my friend and I while we waited during my son's surgery. I had not had a chance to talk with him other than for a quick moment on the field. He really impressed me. He truly has a genuine concern for his players, not only in football, but in the classroom as well. I thank God that He has brought such fine individuals to Gardner-Webb to have such a positive influence on my child.

[littlered]

A special thanks to Coach Patton for stopping by to make a visit after my son went into the recovery room. I know that was something that he did not have to do, especially with all that was going on with him. That meant a lot to my son and I that he would do that. We really appreciate his visit!

[elcid83]

I have attached an interesting article from SouthernPigskin.com taking Elon's AD to the woodshed for not acting more quickly on their head coach hire. I think the writer would agree with many on here that the process is taking too long.

Go Runnin' Bulldogs!

http://www.southernpigskin.com/SoCon/vi ... ing-blanks

[catamount man]

On another note, since it appears that we will not be able to talk about our new head coach any time soon, I thought some of you guys might be interested in my photos from last year's football season. I have attached a link to my Shutterfly site for your viewing enjoyment.

Go Runnin' Bulldogs!

http://gardnerwebbfootball.shutterfly.com/

Hey, I'm in pic #4 of the WCU-GW gallery!! Cool album bro!!

[99SourceCode]

Anybody else hear the list has narrowed to a group of finalists? Good news if true.

[elcid83]

Anybody else hear the list has narrowed to a group of finalists? Good news if true.

Did not hear that, but, I did hear that Dr. Bonner is out of town this week.Interviews would not be until next week at the earliest. It's going to be a long week.

Go Runnin' Bulldogs!

[elcid83]

Well. We can narrow the list of known candidates. footballscoop.com is reporting that Coach Windham will be Furman's new DC. If true, congrats to Coach Windham on getting a great job.

Go Runnin' Bulldogs!

[EagleDawg]

If Dr. Bonner is a part of the search committee and has the final say and is not out moving the ball down the field while out of town, then all of the past bits of info about a mid to late Jan time frame appear to ring more true by the day. The longer they wait the more current assistants have to consider other options if and when those calls come. These men have to feed their families and need some certainty in their lives. I keep hearing about the past basketball process but basketball ain't football. At G-Dubb's level, many players sign in the early b-ball signing period (no such period in football) and there are just 2 or no more than 3 assistants. There shouldn't have been the recruiting pressure with b-ball after firing the HC after the season and then having months before the next early signing period. Yes they may have signed some in the spring period as well but football is clearly different in so many ways. I just don't see a parallel here but that's just me. The Official Visit weekends coming up starting this Saturday are clearly different than when b-ball Officials take place, at least that's what I understand.

Congrats to Coach Windham on a move up to the SOCON from the Big South, I hope the day comes when it doesn't appear to be a move up but for now and the forseeable future there can be no doubt. If we don't retain the other assistants I certainly hope they experience similar good fortune. This process just sucks.